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Two high-quality Prototheca zopfii genomes provide new insights into their evolution as obligate algal heterotrophs and their pathogenicity
Jianbo Jian 
,
Zhaoyang Wang,
Chunhai Chen,
Christopher T. Workman,
Xiaodong Fang,
Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen,
Jian Guo ,
Eva C. Sonnenschein
,
Zhaoyang Wang,
Chunhai Chen,
Christopher T. Workman,
Xiaodong Fang,
Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen,
Jian Guo ,
Eva C. Sonnenschein
Microbiology Spectrum, Volume: 12, Issue: 8
Swansea University Author:
Eva C. Sonnenschein
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1128/spectrum.04148-23
Abstract
The majority of the nearly 10,000 described species of green algae are photoautotrophs; however, some species have lost their ability to photosynthesize and become obligate heterotrophs that rely on parasitism for survival. Two high-quality genomes of the heterotrophic algae Prototheca zopfii Pz20 a...
| Published in: | Microbiology Spectrum |
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| ISSN: | 2165-0497 |
| Published: |
American Society for Microbiology
2024
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68956 |
| Abstract: |
The majority of the nearly 10,000 described species of green algae are photoautotrophs; however, some species have lost their ability to photosynthesize and become obligate heterotrophs that rely on parasitism for survival. Two high-quality genomes of the heterotrophic algae Prototheca zopfii Pz20 and Pz23 were obtained using short- and long-read genomic as well as transcriptomic data. The genome sizes were 31.2 Mb and 31.3 Mb, respectively, and contig N50 values of 1.99 Mb and 1.26 Mb. Although P. zopfii maintained its plastid genome, the transition to heterotrophy led to a reduction in both plastid and nuclear genome size, including the loss of photosynthesis-related genes from both the nuclear and plastid genomes and the elimination of genes encoding for carotenoid oxygenase and pheophorbide an oxygenase. The loss of genes, including basic leucine-zipper (bZIP) transcription factors, flavin adenine dinucleotide-linked oxidase, and helicase, could have played a role in the transmission of autotrophy to heterotrophs and in the processes of abiotic stress resistance and pathogenicity. A total of 66 (1.37%) and 73 (1.49%) genes were identified as potential horizontal gene transfer events in the two P. zopfii genomes, respectively. Genes for malate synthase and isocitrate lyase, which are horizontally transferred from bacteria, may play a pivotal role in carbon and nitrogen metabolism as well as the pathogenicity of Prototheca and non-photosynthetic organisms. The two high-quality P. zopfii genomes provide new insights into their evolution as obligate heterotrophs and pathogenicity. |
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| Keywords: |
Prototheca, pathogenicity, horizontal gene transfer, heterotrophs |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Issue: |
8 |